City of London girls & autism

[highlandspringerdog]

Hi everyone

Does anyone have experience of City of London girls and autism? My daughter has high functioning autism and I'm looking for somewhere that will be kind to her. She's academically high achieving, doesn't have meltdowns at school (so far) but can get very distressed in crowds and if everything doesn't go according to plan, /she also has massive problems with social understanding - sarcasm, chats for the sake of it etc. over stimulation a big issue.
Anyway - any experience out there - good or bad- I would be really grateful to hear it.

Thanks very much

Don't know the school, but do know where it is.

Do you live right by it? If not, never mind the school, will she cope with the (packed public transport) journey?

really if she gets distressed in crowds, why on earth would you send her there? How would she manage the crowds on the tube every day? Also, sarcasm, chats for the sake of it, going to be big in such a school.

Great. Thanks. A range of factors to consider, we live very close to it so journey ok - she can walk.
I'd just really like views on the school itself - is it friendly, are staff kind etc? Some schools have quite a stern ethos and others emphasise the kindness more - just trying to feel my way around that side of things.
Thanks very much for your replies though.

I think I would go and talk to them! If no other parent has a child with the same background as yours, then you might find it difficult to get any views on the school that are meaningful to you. What does her current school think? I assume they will be talking to you about possible options. I think most schools these days have friendly teachers but you might be looking for strong pastoral care and this is where I would start my conversation with them.

Just to add, for a secondary school at just over 700, it is not that big! To get smaller you may need to consider weekly boarding and this could provide a more nurturing school environment. However, it is not for everyone and you might rule this out. The recent ISI report for City Girls says they have 54 SEND children and one with a statement. Go and have a look!

Thank you - yes going to speak to them is very much part of the plan! I am trying to gather as much info as I can from parents also. - both in person and on here. I don't think I could bear for her to board - id miss her too much! But thank you. - I really appreciate your answer x

I can't really comment on COLGS, however you might also consider co-ed. There is a higher rate of autism amongst boys and so perhaps more chance a school will have experience.

Both DC have come across autistic children in their respective London private schools. Schools should have a good idea of what SN they can manage, and what support might be needed. And if they don't, this might serve as a warning.

My impression is that it is much less appearance and fashion focussed than some of its west London competitors, which could I think help?

Avoid.
It is a lot of girls on a very compact site. The hallways are like salmon swimming upstream. PM me for more about pastoral care- you won't like that either.

Forest ?

Thank you! I will. That's the kind of insight i am after. Shit pastoral care is always a bad sign!

I don't have a child at CLSG. But I do have a neighbour, whose high functioning autistic son is going to City boys. So far, so good.

If you don't think CLSG is right, and you are in East London, you might consider Chigwell school. It's selective, but not superselective like City. They do send children to Oxbridge every year, just not such a high percentage because they have a greater variety of abilities entering. I mention them because the school is small, homely, has lots if space, and it has an excellent reputation for pastoral care locally. You could reach it on the Central line. The tube would be pretty much empty because DD would be doing a reverse commute.

I would really think twice about a girls' only school. If you get manipulative and exclusive girls they have a more favourable environment, boys are less tolerant of that sort of behaviour.

I have a DD who started Year 7 at CLSG this year and the pastoral care has been excellent, a lot of effort and care put in to make sure girls settle in and are continuing to be happy as the year progresses. Would agree there is a lot of chat just for the sake of it though!

It was on my list for my DDs. My feeling (confirmed by others who go there and other North London schools) is that it has much better pastoral care than some other similar schools, eg North London Collegiate, but people have very different experiences depending on their child. Some people love NLCS if it suits their child, for example. A one to one chat with the head/deputy at all the schools you are considering might be a good idea.

I know of a girl with many Asperger's tendencies (although not formally diagnosed), who has just been accepted there to start next year - so she won't be the only one if she goes!

Thanks everyone. Very interesting.
Chat for sake of it will obviously be in every single school - also I don't want her to avoid it, she needs to learn how to deal with it.
A kind context is very very important. She's already in year 7 so it would a move across into city that we would be looking at.
I think I've concluded that where she is now is actually probably the best place for her- at least for now. They've been extremely good to her so far, but there was a shocker of a situation at the end of last term which shook my confidence in the school, though I know now that it was just one member of staff who was being dreadful and the rest of the team involved in daughter's care were not in agreement with that person. Still though, he has a lot of power. I'm going to watch and wait.

Thanks very much again for all of your views - really helpful